#riddles

On what can we now place our hopes of solving the many riddles which still exist as to the origin and composition of cosmic rays? It must be emphasized here above all that to attain really decisive progress greater funds must be made available. ↗

— Victor Francis Hess

#attain #available #composition #cosmic #cosmic rays

The scientist should treasure the riddles he can't solve, not explain them away at the outset. ↗

— Roberto Unger

#explain #outset #riddles #scientist #should

It is, I think, particularly in periods of acknowledged crisis that scientists have turned to philosophical analysis as a device for unlocking the riddles of their field. Scientists have not generally needed or wanted to be philosophers. ↗

— Thomas Kuhn

#analysis #crisis #device #field #generally

'The Hobbit' was one of the first biggish books I ever read. I remember vividly the 'riddles in the dark' passage, and it meant a lot to me to finally get to play it after all these years. ↗

— Andy Serkis

#books #dark #ever #finally #first

I am a man of few words, but many riddles. ↗

— Frank Gorshin

#few #i #i am #man #many

Some say knowledge is power. Some tell us that all power comes from the gods. Others say it derives from law. Yet that day on the steps of Baelor’s Sept, our godly High Septon and the lawful Queen Regent and your ever-so-knowledgeable servant were as powerless as any cobbler or cooper in the crowd. Who truly killed Eddard Stark, do you think? Joffrey, who gave the command? Ser Ilyn Payne, who swung the sword? Or…another?” Tyrion cocked his head sideways. “Did you mean to answer your damned riddle, or only to make my head ache worse?” Varys smiled. “Here, then. Power resides where men believe it resides. No more and no less.” “So power is a mummer’s trick?” “A shadow on the wall,” Varys murmured, “yet shadows can kill. And ofttimes a very small man can cast a very large shadow.” Tyrion smiled. “Lord Varyls, I am growing strangely fond of you. I may kill you yet, but I think I’d feel sad about it. ↗

— George R.R. Martin

#humor #philosophical #riddles #men

You know what your problem is, it's that you haven't seen enough movies - all of life's riddles are answered in the movies. ↗

— Steve Martin

#answered #enough #haven #know #life

Every game has its Jacks,' she said, the sadness of it pulling down the elation of sudden understanding. 'The thing that acts as a wild card. It can't be counted on or predicted. A weapon, even. But he's in other places, too, isn't he? And do you know what else a Jack is, Puck?...I do. ↗

— Ruth Frances Long

#jenny #puck #riddles #tricks #wren

Which came first, the phoenix or the flame?” “Hmm . . . What do you think, Harry?” said Luna, looking thoughtful. “What? Isn’t there just a password?” “Oh no, you’ve got to answer a question,” said Luna. “What if you get it wrong?” “Well, you have to wait for somebody who gets it right,” said Luna. “That way you learn, you see?” “Yeah . . . Trouble is, we can’t really afford to wait for anyone else, Luna.” “No, I see what you mean,” said Luna seriously. “Well then, I think the answer is that a circle has no beginning.” “Well reasoned,” said the voice, and the door swung open. ↗

— J.K. Rowling

#flame #luna-lovegood #phoenix #ravenclaw #riddles

Dechymic pwy yw. Creadt kyn dilyw. Creadur kadarn Heb gic heb ascwrn. Heb wytheu heb waet. Heb pen aheb traet. Ny bed hyn ny byd ieu. No get y dechreu. Ny daw oe odeu Yr ofyn nac agheu. Ny dioes eisseu Gan greaduryeu. Guess who it is. Created before the deluge. A creature strong, Without flesh, without bone, Without veins, without blood, Without head, and without feet. It will not be older, it will not be younger, Than it was in the beginning. There will not come from his design Fear or death. He has no wants From creatures. ↗

— Taliesin

#riddles #wind #death